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  1. #1
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    Arrow Scout Hall, and the ruins of the Shibden Valley, Halifax, Jan - March '10

    Here's the sort of report your mom always tells me she likes. You probably don't even need your seat belt on with this gentle and over-processed trip through the Shibden Valley, a hidden part of the West Yorkshire countryside between Bradford and Halifax. This was a very chilled little solo project that took a couple of visits to take some shots of the ruined buildings that lie forgotten in the fields and the copses and the farm tracks.
    First up is this wonderful place. I took about 30 pictures of it as it was great.



    Like many of the places in the report it is abandoned, roofless and ruined.


    The side by side dwellings are Lower Shibden Hall Farm and Cottage and were last occupied in the 1950's.


    Wonderful carvings out of warm Yorkshire sandstone can be seen on this fireplace. Although no fires have burned here for over half a century, soot still clings on to to the brickwork.


    A last view of the farm from the over grown drove road. It was easy to imagine the horse and carts struggling along the rutted surface.


    Nearby are the remains of Water Scout, originally built in 1618, and later added to in 1701. Little remains here; a few walls and fallen beams.


    In the yard was a well. I spent a few minutes trying to find it but couldn't. Water Scout was last inhabited in the 1930's.


    At the head of the valley is a fine ruin, and one I have visited before. This is Upper Shibden Hall, and was built in the 1830's. I love ruined manors and halls me.


    It was one of many of the residences owned by the Stocks family, including Lower Shibden Hall, and Scout Hall. (Remember the name Scout Hall - you'll be seeing it later)



    The Stocks family moved here in the 1800's and the house was one of many of the large country residences they owned. The tower was a later addition to the property and was built at the same time as the now ruined gatehouse.


    They were heavily involved in coal mining and later Brewing. The Shibden Head Brewery merged with Samuel Webster's in 1932. Michael Stocks was the first elected Mayor of Halifax, although he turned down the role. He died here in 1872. Here is a view inside the tower.


    The tower was built at the same time as this now ruined gatehouse.


    Very little remains in here. Fireplaces, walls and fallen beams are left behind.


    Further down the valley is Shibden Head sewage works.


    Once a house, it was later taken over by Yorkshire Water. Today it is a ruin.


    Again it was easy to imagine the horse and carts pulling up to here, like some Sunday evening BBC2 costume drama.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Scout Hall, and the ruins of the Shibden Valley, Halifax, Jan - March '10

    Many of the buildings here would have been connected to Scout Hall, a fantastic shell of a building at the foot of the valley.


    The doors were securely bolted. Above the front door is a frieze of a fox hunt, slowly being eaten away by the elements. The blue door is the back door.


    Scout Hall, was built in 1681 for Silk Merchant John Mitchell (1659–1696). Today it lies pretty much empty, as it has done since the 1980's. Inside the building is in disarray, with flooring timbers missing, and evidence of some recent building work taking place. Evidence of storage inside the cellar.


    Many of the floors are missing, ancient oak beams hang in space, floors are missing and the three storey space is fully open.


    Currently on the English heritage buildings at risk register, Scout Hall is grade II* listed.
    It was built as a calender building, with 365 panes of glass, 12 bays and 52 doors. How cool is that?
    An attempt at renovation nearly a decade ago, long halted has left behind a more modern feel to things.


    The building failed to meet it's reserve price of £350,000 at Auction last September. Like many of the other abandoned house of the Shibden Valley, it clings on to memories of a different time awaiting the next chapter in it's long history.

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